Tripadvisor is definitely not what it used to be. Too many fake reviews, too many competitors scoring points, and an overall reduction in usefulness. So we approached our meal at The Square with a little trepidation as reviews have been mixed compared to some of the other restaurants in Henley.

But we like Portuguese food, and at the very least, it didn’t look too expensive…

Probably best to start with the bad, and work upwards. The lighting, particularly at the back of the restaurant, is far too bright, and very harsh. And honestly, it smells rather unpleasant. Fortunately we were able to get a table closer to the front (right by the draughty door). Ask for a table in the window, which is the best of all worlds. It also has an enormous bar where really there should be tables. If I wanted to show someone what eating in the 1970s looked like, I could not have chosen a better spot.

But everything changed with the food.

We had the bread and sardine paste, which came with tuna paste as well. That was the unexpected highlight (even better than the sardine paste), although for authenticity a soft sheep’s cheese would have been nice.

I had the green cabbage and potato soup: Excellent, and much better than it sounds. Mrs Nigel had grilled sardines (a great favourite of hers), which much to my surprise, appeared to be fresh, and very tasty

To follow, more fresh fish, a Tuna steak, and an excellently filleted Mackerel. Somehow they had managed to make the bought in chips taste better than they should.

All of this rounded off with a very good bottle of Vinho Verde.

The meal, before tip, was less than 100 quid, which for the quality of the food, was excellent. It really is proper Portuguese food in the centre of Henley.

Sadly, it was much less full than other local restaurants, and that is probably because it lacks a little “kerb appeal”. The restaurant needs some love to attract punters, and it probably needs punters to be able to justify the refurbishment, so please, if you are in Henley, make a detour!

Rating: 5/5